College football’s biggest game Saturday featured a near comeback by Tennessee aided by an officiating error.
The SEC admitted today that Tennessee’s recovered onside kick late in the loss to No. 1 Texas should have been called back because Tennessee’s kicker was illegally standing behind the holding line when he hit it.
“The onside kick with 1:22 remaining in the Texas football game against Tennessee on Saturday was executed incorrectly and should have resulted in a five-yard penalty on Tennessee and a replay of the down.
“A drop kick is permitted, but a free kick must be taken from the kicking team’s holding line, which is the 35-yard line on a kickoff, unless moved by penalty. The ball was at least one yard behind the 35-yard line when kicked.
“Additionally, once the ball is ready for play, the kicker cannot change his lateral position between the hash marks. This location can only change after a charged timeout or during a subsequent kick. The kicker’s movement after the ready signal violated the rule.
“The correct application is a five-yard penalty and a replay of the down. The Southeastern Conference regrets this error and will continue to work with the NCAA Football Rules Secretary/Editor and officials to ensure consistent application of the free throw rules.”
After the officials’ blunder, Texas stopped Tennessee and hung on to win 20-17. But if Tennessee had scored a game-winning touchdown after the officiating error, it would have supplanted Michigan’s Hail Mary victory over Western Michigan as this season’s biggest officiating controversy. SEC officials botched the call, then the Texas defense bailed them out.
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